Kaiseki cuisine,a multi-course feast of traditional Japanese dishes. (©JNTO)

Japan's history of dining out is said to have originated in the Edo period (1603-1868) in Asakusa, where vendors served chameshi (rice cooked in tea). Historic records show that there were about 6,000 dining establishments in Japan during the prosperous times of the early nineteenth century. Now there are over 100,000 in Tokyo alone, and the variety of food they offer is truly dizzying. From authentic Japanese restaurants that have been in operation since the Edo period to the Tokyo locations of the finest dining establishments from all over the globe, Tokyo dining is a round-the-world trip for the taste buds. Visitors to this city will also find plenty of highly affordable eating choices, such as Japanese-style pubs, family restaurants, fast-food establishments, and cafes. index | previous | next